Solidarity With Iran

WSJ.com Opinion Journal ^ | Monday, February 23, 2004 12:01 a.m. EST | MICHAEL MCFAUL AND ABBAS MILANI

[Eala]

On Friday, there was a coup d'

[Eala]

"few in the West--including the Bush administration--have shown much solidarity with Iran's democrats. This policy, or the lack of one, needs to change."

[Eala]

Ping.

[Eala]

Request for an "Iran" topic option, please.

[nuconvert]

I read this in the paper this morning and hoped someone would post it.

Great Piece.

Thanks A Lot.

[Eala]

You're welcome. I was surprised because usually somebody's already posted the WSJ articles before my lunchtime Journal read, but here it was unposted... AND on the web.

I just wish Bush would read it and act on it...

[nuconvert]

"I just wish Bush would read it and act on it."

Boy! You took the words right out of my mouth.

[nuconvert]

Good .... PonG

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Mine, too.

[Eala]

In contrast to the concerted efforts in the '80s to aid Solidarity, few in the West--including the Bush administration--have shown much solidarity with Iran's democrats.

I keep coming back to this sentence. What's wrong here? All I can think is that if Americans knew Iranians, instead of the "rag-head" stereotype we were fed in '79, the picture would be very different.

Recently my wife related that when her family suddenly had to return from Iran in the early 70s (health problems) she was inconsolable over leaving. 25 years ago I would not have understood. Now I think I do, to a small degree, if only because of the Iranian friends we have here.

[Clint Williams]

Bump

[nuconvert]

I think you're right about Iranians and the misconceptions many have.
Certainly if people were more familiar with Iranians, they would appreciate them.
Interesting the story of your wife's experience. Someone recently told me of people living here who were seriously thinking of returning to Iran because they were "homesick" and missed their friends and family and culture.
I think you and many others have helped to educate and re-shape people's opinions. Hopefully those people spread the word to others.

I do think these authors are a little tough on President Bush. I have never heard his opinions regarding Iran or the Iranian people ever waiver. I do think he has expressed solidarity with the people. As for those around him? That's a different story.
I feel confident the people will attain their freedom. I'm afraid that before that happens, things are going to get worse in Iran. It seems inevitable that Iran will be an unstable country for a while. But I do think, in the course of the next 2 years, the Iranian people will be delivered from their oppression and will experience living in a free country.

MHO.

[Valin]

YES! I read it tonight at work. It would take so little on Americas part to change the situation in Iran, and the dividends would be so huge I don't know why we don't send the message.

OTOH who knows what going on under the radar.

[Eala]

Interesting the story of your wife's experience. Someone recently told me of people living here who were seriously thinking of returning to Iran because they were "homesick" and missed their friends and family and culture.

I know an Iranian who does this, from time to time. But what (s)he has to say (and others too) upon return angers me -- people should not have to live this way.

I think you and many others have helped to educate and re-shape people's opinions. Hopefully those people spread the word to others.

My wife and I do what we can. Once in a while we meet Americans who know Iranians personally... and in those cases there is nothing more to say. But so few Americans know (that they know) Iranians, we can't achieve much, one on one. We do our part, but in our case we number no more than two.

I do think these authors are a little tough on President Bush. I have never heard his opinions regarding Iran or the Iranian people ever waiver. I do think he has expressed solidarity with the people. As for those around him? That's a different story.

President Bush has made some good remarks about this. But (I will be critical) I see little action, response or effort in this area. And this includes Colin Powell and his State Department.

I feel confident the people will attain their freedom. I'm afraid that before that happens, things are going to get worse in Iran. It seems inevitable that Iran will be an unstable country for a while. But I do think, in the course of the next 2 years, the Iranian people will be delivered from their oppression and will experience living in a free country.

My hope and prayer is that it happens sooner, faster, and more painlessley that that. But (sorry) I am not betting on that.

[F14 Pilot]

Thank You Very Much!

[F14 Pilot]

Re-Ping on a very great article!

[XHogPilot]

Bump

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Thanks for the ping! :)

[blackie]

Freedom now!

[Clint Williams]

BTTT

[downer911]

Bump